scholarly journals Domestic and International Perspectives on Financing Adult Education and Training

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 389-390
Author(s):  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Oksana Dikhtyar ◽  
Phyllis Cummins ◽  
Nytasia Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
And Training

Abstract Adult education and training (AET) over the life-course is necessary to participate in economic, social, and political activities in the time of globalization and technological advancement. However, little research has been done to identify mechanisms to fund AET opportunities among middle-aged and older adults from a comparative international perspective. Our study aimed to identify strategies to finance AET opportunities for middle-aged and older adults through an international lens, to help identify barriers and facilitators in effort to best support adult learners regardless of education background or socioeconomic characteristics. We carried out a descriptive qualitative study to facilitate an in-depth understanding of funding mechanisms available to adult learners in the selected countries, from the perspective of adult education and policy experts. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 61 international adult education experts from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and education institutions. Our informants represented 10 countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Data included at least one in-depth phone or web-based qualitative interview per informant in addition to information gathered from written materials (e.g., peer-reviewed publications and organizational reports). We identified three financing options that arose as themes: government-sponsored funding; employer-sponsored funding; and self-funding. We found that government-sponsored funding is especially important for low-skilled, low-income older adults for whom employer-sponsored or self-funding is not available. Our results have implications for lifelong AET policy changes, such as adaptations of successful AET funding programs across global communities.

scholarly journals Literacy Skills, Immigration, and Motivation to Learn Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 330-330
Author(s):  
Shalini Sahoo ◽  
Roberto Millar ◽  
Taka Yamashita ◽  
Phyllis Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Motivation To Learn ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
And Training

Abstract Education and training over the life course or lifelong learning has become critical in the fast-changing U.S. society. Foundation skills (e.g., literacy), motivation, curiosity, as well as access to learning opportunities are essential to promote lifelong learning. Despite the importance of these promoting factors, empirical research focusing on complex relationships between literacy skills, immigration and motivation to learn (MtL) among middle-aged and older adults is scarce. The objective of this study is to examine how literacy skills and immigration (vs. U.S. born) are associated with MtL among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. Nationally representative data (n = 8,670) of adults aged 45 years and older were obtained from the 2012/2014 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Structural equation models were constructed to examine the formerly tested and validated latent MtL construct based on four 5-point Likert-type scale items among the sub-population of interest. Results showed that higher literacy skills (0-500 points; b = 0.002, p < 0.05) was associated with greater MtL. Additionally, immigrants were less likely (b = -0.114, p < 0.05) to have greater MtL than those who are non-immigrants (i.e. U.S. born). Higher literacy skills may indicate positive experiences in previous adult education and training and greater readiness for further learning. Findings from this study provide new empirical evidence of lifelong learning determinants. Educators and researchers should be aware of limited literacy and being an immigrant as potential barriers to knowledge-seeking in later life.

scholarly journals ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN CANADA: OPPORTUNITIES, FUNDING, AND GENDER GAPS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S4-S4
Author(s):  
A Katherine Harrington ◽  
Phyllis Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
International Assessment ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Training

Abstract Labor force participation rates for middle-aged and older Canadians have increased substantially over the past two decades, with increases for women outpacing men. Given the importance of adult education and training (AET) to stay competitive in later career, we used a mixed methods approach to examine gender differences. Our analysis of the 2012 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) data indicated that, for ages 55-65, rates of AET participation are similar for both men and women. However, women are less likely than men to have AET funded by their employers. Findings suggest that women are more likely to need alternate funding sources for AET, such as other organizations or through self-funding. In addition, our review of literature, policy-related documents, and key informant interviews identified possible changes in policies and practices for the promotion of AET for middle-aged and older Canadians.

scholarly journals Collaboration and Networking in Adult Education and Training. A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-157
Author(s):  
Adél Kiss
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Active Network ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Network Member ◽  
Economic Potential ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
And Training

AbstractThe article discusses the analysis of the available resources in the Pro Educatione Network of Adult Education and Training. The study unveils the provided human resources, economic potential, organizational capacities and relationships as well as the surplus by the network of the 15 adult education organizations. The results show that networking brings access to different resources for network members. Half of the network member organizations affirm intense relationships, i.e. they often call for the collaboration of network member organizations for their adult education and training programmes, and significant co-creation activities are taking place. Despite the fact that several network member organizations have limited resources for the operation of adult education, they achieve significant efficiency; in other words, they can reach out to a considerable number of adult learners through their education and training programmes. The analysis identified passive, moderately active, and very active network members. It also identified areas with deficits in networking.

Associations between motivation to learn, basic skills, and adult education and training participation among older adults in the USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-552
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Phyllis A. Cummins ◽  
Roberto J. Millar ◽  
Shalini Sahoo ◽  
Thomas J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Basic Skills ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Motivation To Learn ◽  
The Usa ◽  
And Training

scholarly journals An International Perspective on the Impacts of COVID-19 on Adult Education and Training

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 147-147
Author(s):  
Oksana Dikhtyar ◽  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Phyllis Cummins ◽  
Nytasia Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
And Training

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has caused one of the worst economic crises since the Great Depression and the current recession has been more detrimental to older workers compared to other age groups. Not only has it forced more older workers out of their jobs, but it has also made it much harder for jobless older workers to find a new job. Furthermore, due to increased automation and digitalization in the workplace, older workers will likely need upskilling or reskilling to improve their employment prospects in the changed labor market. This situation brings the importance of offering training and continuous education programs that target older workers to the forefront of adult education policy and practice. This qualitative study examines measures taken in response to COVID-19 in adult education and training (AET) in seven countries including Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and the United States. The findings are based on key informant interviews with international policy experts and scholars in the field of AET in addition to information gathered from written materials (e.g., government and organizational reports). To expedite their economic recovery and improve labor market outcomes for their workers, some countries have increased government funding for vocational and continuing education or offered financial support for post-secondary students while others have provided funds to employers to offer training and retraining for their employees. Some of these measures have the potential to expand adult educational opportunities in the post-pandemic world. Implications for policy and practiced are discussed.

Universalized Workplace Education

2010 ◽  
pp. 40-65
Author(s):  
Karim A. Remtulla
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Workplace Education ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Global Workforce ◽  
E Learning ◽  
And Training

This chapter looks at the socio-cultural implications of universalized education for workers. A universalized education for workers by workplace e-learning happens through hypermedia-centric, constructivist-based workplace e-learning that configures technologies, constructivism, and instructors, for a knowledge-based workplace. Workplace e-learning for workplace adult education and training has changed over the past decade with respect to the changes and complexities of the learning process. This is especially true given the growing prevalence of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Distance education in the tertiary sector is looked at to see what is revealed from workplace adult education and training encounters with workplace e-learning. This raises questions about workplace e-learning for a global workforce. Workplace e-learning epitomizes a constructivist practice in the workplace; heavily based on European and Western industrialized values; and, remains unconcerned with the culturally specialized adult learning needs and goals of a diverse, global, and multi-facetted, cohort of adult learners. Looking primarily at the constructivist turn in distance education, perspectives of epistemology, ontology, and pedagogy, are referenced that support this trend. The universalizing ramifications of this hypermedia- centred, constructivist trend in workplace e-learning for workplace adult education and training are concerning for a global and diverse cohort of adult learners, who will come to represent the workforce in the future. Technique is increasingly used as the omnibus answer for all learners’ needs and goals. ‘Technology’ increasingly replaces epistemology and ontology as the singular perspective for authentic learning. Some of the unseen, conformist, and persuasive effects of technology, constructivism, and instructors, are now problematized for a global workforce.

scholarly journals Designing Age-Friendly Communities: Exploring Qualitative Perspectives on Urban Green Spaces and Ageing in Two Indian Megacities

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1491
Author(s):  
Deepti Adlakha ◽  
Mina Chandra ◽  
Murali Krishna ◽  
Lee Smith ◽  
Mark A. Tully
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Activity Promotion

The World Health Organization and the United Nations have increasingly acknowledged the importance of urban green space (UGS) for healthy ageing. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India with exponential ageing populations have inadequate UGS. This qualitative study examined the relationships between UGS and healthy ageing in two megacities in India. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling in New Delhi and Chennai and semi-structured interviews were conducted with consenting participants (N = 60, female = 51%; age > 60 years; fluent in English, Hindi, or Tamil). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analysed using inductive and thematic analysis. Benefits of UGS included community building and social capital, improved health and social resilience, physical activity promotion, reduced exposure to noise, air pollution, and heat. Poorly maintained UGS and lack of safe, age-friendly pedestrian infrastructure were identified as barriers to health promotion in later life. Neighbourhood disorder and crime constrained older adults’ use of UGS in low-income neighbourhoods. This study underscores the role of UGS in the design of age-friendly communities in India. The findings highlight the benefits of UGS for older adults, particularly those living in socially disadvantaged or underserved communities, which often have least access to high-quality parks and green areas.

scholarly journals Scoping review assessing the evidence used to support the adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technologies for the education and training of community health workers (CHWs) in low-income and middle-income countries

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e019827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niall Winters ◽  
Laurenz Langer ◽  
Anne Geniets
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
And Training ◽  
Formal Theories

ObjectivesUndertake a systematic scoping review to determine how a research evidence base, in the form of existing systematic reviews in the field of mobile health (mHealth), constitutes education and training for community health workers (CHWs) who use mobile technologies in everyday work. The review was informed by the following research questions: does educational theory inform the design of the education and training component of mHealth interventions? How is education and training with mobile technology by CHWs in low-income and middle-income countries categorised by existing systematic reviews? What is the basis for this categorisation?SettingThe review explored the literature from 2000 to 2017 to investigate how mHealth interventions have been positioned within the available evidence base in relation to their use of formal theories of learning.ResultsThe scoping review found 24 primary studies that were categorised by 16 systematic reviews as supporting CHWs’ education and training using mobile technologies. However, when formal theories of learning from educational research were used to recategorise these 24 primary studies, only four could be coded as such. This identifies a problem with how CHWs’ education and training using mobile technologies is understood and categorised within the existing evidence base. This is because there is no agreed on, theoretically informed understanding of what counts as learning.ConclusionThe claims made by mHealth researchers and practitioners regarding the learning benefits of mobile technology are not based on research results that are underpinned by formal theories of learning. mHealth suffers from a reductionist view of learning that underestimates the complexities of the relationship between pedagogy and technology. This has resulted in miscategorisations of what constitutes CHWs’ education and training within the existing evidence base. This can be overcome by informed collaboration between the health and education communities.

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